Kaylie: My time in Boston was phenomenal

I don’t believe it hit me until Friday, the morning of my departure, just exactly what I was going to do. My 2018 got off to a rocky start, and Boston was intended to be a distraction.

I started running again about two years ago after a 3 year hiatus. I had been told I’d never run again, and believed it. I started back with a 5km, then Ramsay tour, then I felt brave enough to start running with Sudbury Rocks in January 2017. I found myself running with a welcoming, supportive group who had done it all, and made it look achievable and fun.

I made it to Boston because of the great running community, work family, family, and friends that I have. I never thought I’d want to run marathons, let alone chase down time goals. Without the encouragement and support of those around me, I wouldn’t have made it to Boston. Friday morning I felt overcome with gratitude for all those that helped me to get there.

My time in Boston was phenomenal. I had very few expectations, having started training on March 11th. (I’ve already been asked to share said plan, although I must say a lot of it is unconventional.) I walked too much, taking in a game at Fenway, Bruins vs Leafs game at TD Garden, and a walking tour of Beacon Hill, Public Garden, and the Charles River Esplanade with local Bret Clancy, who has some pretty phenomenal photos of Boston available in print or canvas form at http://BretClancy.Etsy.com. I had a few too many beverages on Friday and Saturday night while making friends with the locals and catching up with fellow Sudbury runner Jody Nadjiwon and her niece Jayden. Ate too much, but I was going to be running a marathon!

It was a very relaxed time leading up to the race, with my only expectation being that I finish. The weather forecast was brutal, nobody was certain how to dress, I hadn’t done nearly enough training, and was hoping for a miracle that I’d pull off a 3:40. I had so little expectation that at 7km a girl asked for one of my GU gels because she had lost hers, and I gladly gave one up.

I don’t know if it was the relaxed attitude I had about the whole thing, but I got out there and I felt amazing. The crowds (although apparently smaller than previous years) had me smiling for the first 24 miles until it wasn’t fun anymore. The atmosphere, the music, the offerings of dry sock, gloves, licorices, bacon, beer, gin and tonics, pudding shots-I couldn’t help but to smile! My quads were hurting something fierce before the halfway point, as I had been warned they would. But I reasoned that if my legs hurt and nothing else, keep going. At 30km I still hadn’t hit the wall, so decided to let it rip. I had no expectations, but thought I had more in me. I finished with a chip time of 3:25:43, about 20 seconds faster than my previous personal best.

After the race, while trying to make my way back to my room, my feet were cramping heavily while I was walking through the mall. A complete stranger, who was waiting for her husband to finish racing, took my shoes off for me and massaged my feet. That one act pretty much sums up Boston on marathon weekend. Everyone was just so kind, welcoming, and extremely proud and excited for you. I didn’t pay for a single drink Monday night!

Everyone should get after all the things they think they can’t do. They might surprise themselves. And even if they don’t, they’re sure to have some great experiences and meet some great people along the way.

Chantal post run photo

Chantal: Pre and Post Story (edited)

Sunday April 15: Tomorrow will be my 3rd time running the Boston Marathon. I trained over the past 4 months with at least 1200 km in -40 weather, windy condition, and some light rain with cold weather! Tomorrow I will line up in Hopkinton at 10:50 to run this historic marathon in weather that will test my physical , my physiological and my determination to try and finish under 3:52!
When people ask me why I train in miserable weather it is to train my body to accept any condition that race day will throw at you. We all dream of warmer temperature and dry but it is not a guarantee!
I am proud to be surrounded by my amazing husband who is always there for me , my sister " Gregoire Nadia" who I will run part of the race with and all of you at home following me and hoping I get an amazing result.
Inspiring others through my actions is something I believe in. I am so proud of all of you who are going out for your daily runs and pursuing goals no matter what.

Monday April 16 post race recap!
I am very happy with my pb of 3:46:38! Boston 2019 hope for a faster finish.
I spent most of my day Saturday trying to get down to the right gear according the weather I never raced in before! I ran with my winter legging with my short on top of it for easy access to my gels. Used my Brooks compression socks for extra coverage on my calf with my Saucony freedom ( super light shoes and kick dry). then on top I wore my t-shirt, with long sleeve merino wool and my winter jacket on top of that!
I managed to stay mostly dry until getting into my coral with 3 min before the race started. I used the stryd power race and was very focused on keeping everything slow at the beginning and picking up the pace after 5-6 klm into the race!
At times it was mentally tough because of the rain and windy conditions. This time around I kept pushing and not once did I stop for a break. I was determined to finish this one -            a personal best of 3:46:38!

I am very impressed with what the stryd power racing did to almost give me a qualifying time. I think if weather conditions would of been on my side it would of allowed me to push at the end.
At the end of the race I told myself even if I like summer weather at this point I do better in rain! All runners want the perfect race but if you chase a perfect race you will end up disappointed because you can train as much as you want but weather always has the last word of the day!
Now I will take a week off with lots of biking in my garage and get ready for another marathon to requalify for Boston 2019!

Canada's Krista Duchene takes 3rd in the 2018 Boston Marathon

Krista DuChene on her historic Boston Marathon finish
By Krista DuChene - April 17, 2018

You know when you create this crazy story in your mind that race conditions will be so bad that it will work to your favour and you will get a podium finish at the Boston Marathon?

(read her full race account here)